a quick pillow

oh me, oh my.

life can be full and busy, can't it?

that's why even half an hour in my sewing studio

is worth celebrating.

especially when i get to hang out with

charley harper.

:-)

begin again

It is snowing a gentle, soft bit here today. There is much to do, but the quiet hum of the washing machine and a pot of jasmine tea invite me to pause. 

I am one month deep into my word for 2014, integrity. It's funny how sometimes when we become deliberate and mindful, opportunities float our way.

A few weeks ago, I began a five week workshop on meditation. A dear friend is leading it, and I had been wanting to rededicate myself to improving my practice. We are using Sharon Salzberg's book Real Happiness, The Power of Meditation to support our exploration. After two weeks of sitting nearly daily, these are some things I have been grateful for...

As I sit down to meditate and the chatter in my mind takes a long time to settle down, Sharon's words remind me that with every breath we can begin again. I have embraced this compassionate message. When our meditating minds wander, we can begin again, with the very next breath. We can, actually, begin again whenever we need to, even when we are not sitting to meditate. Whenever I find myself flustered or challenged or stressed, I try to remember to take three deep breaths and begin again. This simple practice makes life so much easier!  Beginning again is such a compassionate way to treat ourselves. No judgement, no shame, no regret...just begin again.

And this sentence, from the first chapter in Sharon's book jumped off the page and has been my mantra ever since. Distractions waste our energy; concentration restores it to us. Oh, yes, yes, yes please! Let me continue to work on this one! It is OK to do lots of things in a day...just let's concentrate on one*thing*at*a*time, shall we?

Our group meets once a week to discuss the chapter, to check in on our progress and to do a bit of meditating as a group. I like the accountability and support I have found with this group of strangers, who are becoming friends as we practice together. 

If you have a practice of meditating, how does it help you live a saner life? If you don't have a practice now and if you might like to try meditating, I recommend Sharon's book to you. If you follow the link, you will find sample audio sessions there that you might like to try.

Namaste.

P.S. Suz, I thought of your blog title as I wrote this post. xo

A Month of Letters

I do love snail mail, both sending it and receiving it. I used to be much better about old fashioned correspondence, so when I read about Mary Robinette Kowal's February challenge I knew I wanted to join her. She is articulate and inspiring in her message. Read all the details here.

Yesterday, I bought some new postage stamps, so that I am well supplied for the month.

I checked on my stash of handmade envelopes and found these pretties, ready for addresses. 

Because I think of my Mumsie as the Queen of Correspondence, I am kicking off the month with a letter to her (but of course, her envelope will need to be turquoise).

Friends, are you in?

checking in on 12 projects for 2014

finished bean bags for a cat sized corn hole game.

also finished curtains for bedroom

two ways: closed for privacy and open for the view

also finished, one blouse

also in progress, quilt

These are certainly some of the simpler projects on my list, but it does feel good to make progress early in the year! How about you? Are you excited about progress you've made this month? Or are you feeling disappointed or discouraged? We can cheer you on. Just let us know if you need a boost.

Check back tomorrow for a very cool February challenge. I'm guessing many of you will want to jump on board (Mumsie and Gretta especially).

clementines in an aqua bowl

the slant of winter sunshine.

the sound of the tibetan singing bowl that marks the end of meditation.

the satisfying crunch of home sprouted seeds.

the gentle nudge of henry's forehead while i'm still snug in the darkness of the dawn.

the surge of satisfaction of knocking some of the things off my to-do list.

our days are filled with moments. 

tiny specks in a lifetime.

(and i miss pete seeger already.)

for us

yesterday:

washed, dried and ironed.

today:

cutting and cutting and cutting.

playing off of this:

here

later this afternoon...

playing around with half square triangles.

1-18-2014 at 4:03 PM

i think, sometimes, that it's o.k. to say "life is perfect".